THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 21, 1995 TAG: 9510210308
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: SALISBURY, MD. LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
As the casket carrying the body of slain state trooper Edward A. Plank was lifted from the hearse at the Wicomico Presbyterian Church Friday, members of 26 police honor guards snapped a firm, silent salute and raised their colors in remembrance of a fallen brother.
At the arrival of Plank's wife, Lori, and their 7-month-old daughter, 1,500 law enforcement officers, standing in ranks outside the church six-deep and covering three city blocks, lifted a mournful salute.
``It is just tragic,'' said state Public Safety Secretary Bishop Robinson. ``That's the best I can describe it.''
Plank, 28, was killed by a gunshot to the head after making a routine traffic stop along southbound U.S. 13 in Princess Anne early Tuesday morning.
The suspects' car was found ditched in a nearby pond and two men were captured and charged with the murder. Ivan Lovell, of Elizabeth City, N.C., was apprehended after breaking into a home a few miles north of Crisfield. He was knocked out by the homeowner. William S. Lynch, of New York, was captured after authorities found him hiding in some bushes about two miles from where Plank was shot.
Lynch was being held without bail in the Somerset County Detention Center. Lovell, who was shot by Plank's partner as the suspects got away, remained hospitalized Friday with gunshot wounds to the head and arm.
Police found a pound of crack and powdered cocaine worth $83,000 in the car, state police said.
Plank was the 35th state police trooper killed in the line of duty.
``It makes you angry. It makes you wonder what the world is coming to,'' said Miranda Edwards, a Salisbury woman who watched the funeral Friday from across U.S. 50, where the 500-car procession narrowed two-way traffic to three lanes for hours.
``Maybe it lets everyone know the police are out there and they have a serious job to do,'' she said. ``They won't take them for granted now.''
FBI Director Louis Freeh, Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening, Congressman Wayne Gilchrest, Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and state Attorney General J. Joseph Curran attended the funeral.
Inside the church, the Plank family's pastor, the Rev. Bruce Kirk, presided over the solemn occasion. Glendening and state police superintendent Col. David Mitchell also paid tribute.
``I did not know Trooper Plank, but I, like you, feel this agony,'' Glendening said. ``I have the utmost respect for the men and women who risk their lives to protect others.''
Mitchell praised the fallen trooper, recalling the highlights of his brief career and calling the shooting in rural Somerset County ``a terrible shock.'' He read a passage from Plank's application to enter the state police academy.
``I would be honored,'' it read, ``to serve my state to the utmost of my ability.'' by CNB